Snippets from a Half Marathon

Adding this again 'cause I love it!

*Just as a little factoid, there was a walking division. They started 5 minutes after the runners. I just looked at their chip times. TWENTY-SEVEN walkers finished before I, a "runner", finished the half marathon. Color me impressed! I should have just registered as a walker!

Between Miles 2 and 3 we were in a nice, shady stretch of road. There were no cones on the road, that I recall in THIS particular section, that runners had to be sure NOT to trip over. Come on, haven't you tripped on something during a race? I personally crashed into two girls back to back during the Shamrock 15K. I know one of you ran into a garbage can during a half marathon last November ... and STILL had an amazing finish time. 

 

Anyway .... we are running along and it was really nice. I was fresh, I was running by cool people and enjoying myself. Suddenly "HOOOONNNNKKKK"!!! A car comes up and lays on the horn. My gut reaction was, "Seriously?" with an annoyed tone. I look to my right and there is a truck with lights from traffic control slowly driving through. Behind him? Some jackass old man with his two dogs. And you know what? That jackass was NOT nice to me. I couldn't make out all of his words, but he was saying mean things and complaining about us runners. Thanks a lot, Grandpa!

I continue at my pace, thoroughly annoyed now. In all of my races I've never had a spectator or resident be anything but supportive. I love grandpas. They are my favorite people. This guy was NOT a typical grandpa. Ugh. I guess I've just been lucky so far. I pass by these two guys that were also kind of jittery after the horn. Oh yeah - he kept honking! It wasn't just that one time. He kept doing it for the entire stretch of the road. I never expect that during a race, and obviously neither did the other runners, as I could see everybody ahead jump when he honked at them. So as I pass the two guys I turned back with this confused look. And now here is our amusing conversation:

"Um, is it just me or was that a dickish move?" - me
"Yeah, totally dickish. I need a shower after that one!" - dude

Ah, loved them. I wish I could have stayed with them, but they were steady and didn't stop for the little potty party at the mile 4 aid station like I did. They cheered me on later in the course though, right when I needed it -- I believe I was facebooking at that moment!

Anyway, that's my story.

I also saw a dog in the lake just standing. I wanted to join him. He was hot so he just walked out until he was comfortable and stood in one spot and smiled. Smart dog!